Chapter 16

MARY ELIZABETH’S STORY

It felt like I was lost in a dream. Everything was in a bit of a haze, fuzzy and a bit out of reach. It was as if every moment of my life since Cody had come into it was a movie replaying for me. But then my life had felt like a dream since I’d met Cody.

Ever since I was a little girl I’d had all these hopes and wishes for my future. I had always been a romantic at heart, hoping for Prince Charming to find me. After Mike I’d pretty much given up on those dreams…until my cowboy had ridden up on his horse to rescue me.

Rescue me! Oh no! Every second of my visit to the barn suddenly rushed back over me, slamming into me full force. My heart began to race and I was gripped with fear as the image of Mike flashed in my head. I had to stop him. I had to protect Tommy. To protect Cody. I was struggling to move, struggling to fight, but I felt paralyzed.

Suddenly I was watching the struggle with Mike. I could hear every word, see every bit of the fight. I heard every gunshot. And I watched him fall before seeing my own body fall to the ground as well, blood pouring out over the dirt of the corral. I saw Cody catch me. I heard and felt every cry that wracked his body as he held me.

I must be dead. This feeling of being trapped in this fog, unable to move, had to be a sign that I didn’t make it. No! It couldn’t be true. Not like this. Not after all I’d been through to find Cody, to finally have the love I’d always wanted. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t done living yet.

I wanted to see Tommy grow into a man. I wanted to marry the love of my life. I wanted to have his babies and watch them grow. I wanted to grow old with Cody. This…this wasn’t what I wanted. No matter how spiritually prepared I was for Heaven, no matter how much I wanted to see my parents again, I was NOT ready to go. Not now. Not yet!

He couldn’t win! I would not let Mike win! He’d had such a hold over my life for so long. No more.

Through the fog I could hear a voice though. Instantly I was soothed. It was Cody’s voice, his Southern accent more pronounced with the weariness he carried. I heard him praying, his emotions in every word, as he asked God to heal me.

And then I heard him start to talk…to me. He knew just what I needed to hear. He always knew. He reassured me. And his reassurances soothed me. I felt a calm come over me. I knew…I just knew somehow it would be okay.

I felt him lay his head down on the bed, my hand tight in his, but I could not move. I felt his other hand rest on my leg. He was there, protecting me, keeping me safe.

Knowing I was safe, I finally gave in. I was so weary; I gave in to the fog and let myself go into it. I knew, when the time was right, Cody would lead me out of it.

CODY’S STORY

I awoke again in the middle of the night. I guess the nurses had decided to just let me stay with Mary Beth, no matter what visiting hours stated. I was thankful for that. She needed me here and I needed to be with her. Frankly they’d have had a hard time getting rid of me.

I lifted my head, stretching out the crick that had formed in my neck from falling asleep slumped over the bed. I stood and stretched my body before moving to the head of the bed. I brushed Mary Beth’s hair from her face, leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

I walked to the little sink and grabbed a washcloth, running the warm water over it and ringing it out. I moved back to Mary Beth and tenderly washed her face. For some reason I thought it might help somehow.

I moved back to the sink, tossing the cloth aside and splashing some cold water on my face, trying to wake up. I shook my head and dried my face before sitting back in my chair at Mary Beth’s side.

I took her hand in mine once more, pressing my lips tenderly to the back of her hand. I rested my head back on the bed once more, tenderly releasing her hand and folding mine in prayer.

“Dear God, I can’t pretend to understand why you’ve put Mary Beth through all that you have. But please…please give her a chance to live, to live a happy life, to live her life with me. I know you led me to her so please don’t take her from me.”

I knew I was begging but I couldn’t help myself. I could not lose my love. I felt hot tears slip down my cheeks once more. My heart was clenched tight in my chest. I could barely breathe as I prayed. Just as I gasped I felt something move over my head.

Slowly I lifted my head, fully expecting to see that someone had entered the room to check on me. What I saw were my beautiful Mary Beth’s eyes slowly opening and what I felt was her hand softly running through my hair.

I quickly grasped her hand in mine as I stood excitedly. A huge smile spread over my lips as I saw her beautiful chocolate brown eyes fix on mine. I reached out with my other hand and softly cupped her cheek.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” I said softly, reaching out and pushing the call button for the nurses.

Mary Beth tried to speak but I could tell her throat was so dry she couldn’t. I pressed a finger to her lips quieting her.

“I’ll get you something for your throat, love. Just hang on, relax,” I said, leaning down and softly pressing my lips to hers.

She nodded softly. I could see the nervousness and fear in her eyes as the nurses came in, soon followed by the doctor. I kept a close hand on her as I could while they examined her, giving her some ice chips as soon as they put them in my hands.

We both breathed a sigh of relief when they doctor said she was out of the woods. There could still be complications from her ruptured and removed spleen, but he felt sure that she was on the mend and would soon be headed home.

She grasped my hand tight in hers as the doctor left the room. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she pulled me close to her.

“I love you,” she whispered against the scruff of my cheek.

“Oh my sweet angel, I love you too,” I said, pulling back to smile at her, a happy tear in my eye.

I gingerly sat on the side of the bed, looking down at her, holding her hand in my lap. It had felt like I had been holding my breath since the moment I got to the barn. Finally I felt my body begin to relax.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” I whispered, squeezing her hand.

“I thought you were too,” she said, her voice scratchy and soft. “Tommy?” she asked worriedly.

“He’s fine, love. Safe and sound. I do need to let them know you’re awake and going to be okay though.”

I pulled out my cell phone and quickly texted Jake and Chris to give them an update. They were moving Mary Beth to a regular room later today, so I asked Chris to bring Tommy in then. I knew he was worried sick and needed to see his mom.

The morning was a whirlwind of activity, getting Mary Beth moved to her room, doctors and nurses in and out. The police visited to ask a few questions for what, thankfully, was pretty much an open and shut case.

At the moment Tommy was curled up on the bed next to his mom, snuggled carefully close in to her good side. I could tell everything was beginning to wear Mary Beth out and I knew she needed her rest. From the looks of Tommy I could tell he was exhausted as well.

I tucked the blanket around them and turned off the lights. Aunt Dot was curled up in the chair in the corner of the room. She said she would keep an eye on them while I took a little break.

I grabbed the bag they had brought me and quickly took a shower, washing the remains of yesterday’s incident down the drain. I changed into clean jeans and a t-shirt and I felt like a new man. Chris was waiting for me when I stepped back out into the hall.

“How about if you and I grab something to eat?” he asked, clasping his huge hand over my shoulder.

“Man, that sounds great,” I conceded, my stomach rumbling loudly.

We walked down to the hospital cafeteria, both loading our trays before finding a table. We tore into our food for about ten minutes before either of us spoke.

“I want to do it as soon as she gets home,” I said, knowing full well he’d know exactly what I meant.

“I figured as much.” He chuckled, running his hand over his beard. “Just like we talked about?”

“Yep!” I said with a grin. “Think you can get it ready?”

“Brother,” he said with a grin, “I think after all this I won’t have any trouble getting plenty of help to surprise her with what you have planned. Don’t you worry. You just get our girl well and bring her home. It’ll all be waiting for you.”

That was my focus…to get Mary Beth well and bring her home…and truly make her mine forever.